TEMPERATURES are set to soar in some parts of the UK this weekend – with possible highs of 17C.

A wave of warm air from Spain is set to bring temperatures not seen in more than three months.

It follows a period of record breaking cold weather, with many parts of the country recording some of the coldest temperatures for 25 years.

The Met Office has predicted an east-west split, with "wet and windy" conditions in the west and dry, sunnier weather in the east.

The South East and East of England could reach 15C (59F) tomorrow before climbing to 16C (51F) on Sunday – on a level with temperatures in Rome and Nice.

Despite this, the Met Office has warned that the Mediterranean sunshine will be short lived, with heavy rain and gales expected to arrive in western England and Wales today and continue into tomorrow.

A yellow weather warning for heavy rain is in place from today and will remain throughout the weekend.

Some parts of the country could see a month's worth of rain fall in just 48 hours, with between 2.8in (7cm) and 6in (15cm) of rain expected to fall.

This could exceed the UK average rainfall for February, which is 3.46in.

The Environment Agency has issued nearly 100 flood alerts and temperatures will fluctuate between 10C (50F) and 13C (55F).

The Met Office has warned that flooding and heavy rain could cause some travel disruption.

And the wet weather is set to continue.

After a dry spell at the beginning of next week, more wet and windy conditions are said to be on the way.

But the Met Office has said "more settled" weather could arrive at the beginning of March.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “Following a brief drier interlude, aside from some showers in the far north-west, a resumption of mild and often unsettled weather arriving on a strong south-westerly wind is expected.

“North-western areas, especially higher ground, will see the wettest conditions, often accompanied by strong winds and coastal gales. Drier conditions are likely further east and southeast, although still some rain at times.

“By the end of February and into early March, conditions across much of the UK are most likely to turn more settled as high pressure becomes dominant.”